Tag: Christmas

Dr. Chris’ Christmas Blogs 2022

Week 4

In his article “The Birth – Revisited” haRold Smith explains that tradition makes us think that Joseph and Mary had no place to go and became “stuck” in an animal stable as a last resort to give birth to the Messiah.  He says that Scripture does not support this. 

The Greek word for “inn” is “kataluma,” which means “guest chamber” – and of the family home.  Jewish family homes had a “guest chamber – kataluma” which was available for the family guests.  Kataluma is translated in Luke 2:7 as “inn,” however in Luke 22:11 when Jesus is seeking a place to celebrate Passover, it is translated as guest chamber.  The term guest chamber is certainly a valid interpretation and is much more in keeping with Jewish family life of that time.

Scripture says that “while they were there” the time had come for Mary to give birth.  In all likelihood they did not start on their journey right before Mary gave birth.  They probably had been in Bethlehem for a while before it was the time for Jesus to be born arrived.  They would have been staying in the guest chamber of the family home in Bethlehem.

  They were both descendants of King David, as were their families.  This would have been a nice home in which they were staying.

However, when a Jewish woman gave birth, she became “ceremonially unclean.”  She needed to be separated from the family, so that they also would not become unclean by her blood, released during childbirth. 

Joseph and Mary needed to move out of the guest chamber of the family home.  Their family would not have ostracized them and forced them to move to an animal stable at a time of childbirth. 

Where did they go? 

They went to the Watchtower of the Flock. 

How did they know?  Did the Lord tell them?  Did an angel appear to Joseph in another dream? 

Did they understand from Scripture? 

Being of the linage of King David, they would know of the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah.  They knew that Mary was carrying the Messiah. 

They understood what the Bible said about the birth of the Messiah, and how He would be revealed from Migdal Eder.  The birth chamber would be ceremonially clean for the sacrificial lambs; thus, clean for the birth of the Messiah.  The Bible does not say explicitly, but they went there for Jesus to be born.  But the angels sent the shepherds of the Temple flock to certify to the world that the Messiah was born.

Let us close this study with Luke Chapter 2 and see how all we have studied fits so well into these verses.

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them (Luke 2:1-20 NKJV – author’s emphasis).

Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas.  

May you experience it with a deeper understanding.

Dr. Christine Van Horn

Christmas 2022

Dr. Chris’ Christmas Blogs 2022

Week 3:

Having been to Bethlehem, I would like to explain the geography of the land. 

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the location of Jesus’ birth.  In the first century after the death of Jesus, this location was identified, and a grotto was built over it.  A few hundred years later, Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, built a large church over it. 

This area was well known in the early times of the Church.  The Catholic Franciscan monks have a very good understanding of the history of this grotto and the church.  There has been very careful tracking of this location.  To enter the cave where Jesus was born is an awe-inspiring moment! 

It is under the Church of the Nativity.  I felt a strong presence of the Lord.  I know without a doubt that this is the exact location.

Geography also verifies this. 

When you tour Bethlehem, the fields of the shepherds (known as the Shepherd’s Fields) are down the hill slopes from the Church of the Nativity.  They are located very near one another.  When the shepherds were given the message from the angels, they had to go up the hill slopes to the birthing place of the Temple flock – now seen as the location under the Church of the Nativity.  Where they had to go was very clear to them; they understood the angel’s message.  They had to go to THE manger at the birthing place for the Temple flock. 

Let us return to Genesis 35:19-21 and look at two additional translations regarding Migdal Eder.  This first version explains that it is a Flock tower.  

So Rachel died, and was buried in the highway that leadeth to Ephrata, that is Bethlehem.  And Jacob erected a pillar over her sepulcher: this is the pillar of Rachel’s monument, to this day.  Departing thence, he pitched his tent beyond the Flock tower (Douay–Rheims 1899 American Edition; author’s emphasis).

There are other translations that explain it as a “watchtower.”  The Amplified Version provides yet another understanding that the Tower of Eder was a lookout point used by shepherds.

So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).  Jacob set a pillar (memorial, monument) on her grave; that is the [a]pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.  Then Israel (Jacob) journeyed on and pitched his tent on the other side of the tower of Eder [the lookout point used by shepherds] (AMP; author’s emphasis).

This means that the tower of Eder was built on a high place overlooking the fields used by the shepherds. 

That makes sense because a lookout for the shepherds in the area would have to be on the highest point.  It would give the best visual of the sheep and watching for any predators in order to best protect them.  

Micah 4:8 also lists the Tower of the Flock (watchtower; Tower of Eder in other translations).  Let’s focus on the first part (first two lines) of this verse.

And you, O tower of the flock,

The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, 

To you shall it come,

Even the former dominion shall come,

The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. (NKJV; author’s emphasis)

In His book, “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah” Dr. Alfred Edersheim explains that the top of the tower, or watchtower, was the location where the shepherds took turns watching the flock to see if danger was approaching.  In the tower’s lower level was the area where the lambs of the Temple Flock were birthed.  Both were part of the same tower.  The tower could be built on top of a cave which would be the birthing location for the lambs.  The lambs then grazed in the fields around the tower in the area of Bethlehem.  He also had another important revelation.

And yet Jewish tradition may here prove both illustrative and helpful.  That the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem was a settled conviction.  Equally so, was the belief, that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, “the tower of the flock” (Edersheim, 1883, 208).

What he is saying here was that the Messiah Jesus was to be revealed from Migdal Eder.  This means that Jesus was born at Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock!

Let’s examine Micah 4:8 once again, focusing on the second part.  It says that the Messiah would be revealed from here.  

And you, O tower of the flock,

The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,

To you shall it come,

Even the former dominion shall come,

The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. (NKJV; author’s emphasis)

This verse states that to the Tower of the Flock (Migdal Eder), the former dominion (the Lord God) shall come or be revealed, bringing His kingdom.

Coupled with Micah 5:2, which is a prophecy that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, a connection is made between the Tower (Watchtower) of Migdal Eder, Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus here.  This prophetically means that Jesus would be born there – and revealed from here.  He was revealed to the shepherds of the Temple flock at the Tower of the Flock or Migdal Eder.

Since the shepherds birthed the lambs of the Temple flock at the Tower of the Flock, all the provisions for the birth of The Lamb of God would have been there. 

What God needed next was for His Son to be “revealed.”  That revelation came through the shepherds.  The shepherds knew exactly where to go when they heard the angel say that the Babe would be wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.  They went directly to the Tower of the Flock to find Him.

God does not do anything by chance.  God the Father prepared a special place long in advance where His Son would be born.  The Tower of the Flock and Migdal Eder are the same location.  Jesus was born in the cave where the lambs of the Temple sacrifice were birthed.  He was revealed to the world through the shepherds who birthed and cared for the Temple flock.  He announced to the world when His Son was born to the only people on earth who could truly identify Him.  This glorious day was ordained in full detail by the Father.  

Check in next week December 22nd for our 4th and final Christmas blog post!

Dr. Chris’ Christmas Blogs 2022

Week 2:

Bethlehem was important to God for another reason. 

It was where the lambs were born and raised for the Temple sacrifice.  This meant that those shepherds to whom the angels appeared, were not ordinary shepherds.  They were holy men specifically trained for this most holy task.  Jewish writings in the Mishnah (early Jewish oral teachings) confirm this.

This is a quote from a message on Moody Bible Radio called “Shepherds: More than Field Hands” on a program called the “Land and the Book.”  

…the flocks kept at Migdal Eder [Bethlehem] were destined for temple sacrifice.  The shepherds keeping watch over these sheep knew the purpose for the lambs under their care.  And their job was to keep the animals under them from becoming injured or blemished.  It was to those watching over animals destined for temple sacrifice that the angels announced Jesus’ birth.  “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

The lambs were birthed at Migdal Eder, and then they were raised in the surrounding fields of Bethlehem.  This meant that the shepherds to whom the angels appeared were in those fields watching their sheep.

The arrival of THE Lamb of God was revealed to those responsible for watching over the sacrificial lambs that had always pointed towards Jesus.  You see, these shepherds were the only people in the world who could recognize when the true Lamb of God arrived, based upon their care of the Temple flock.

How did they take care of the Temple flock? 

The lambs had to meet specific criteria.  They had to be free of any blemish.  One way that the shepherds prevented any blemish was to “swaddle” the newborn lambs.  This meant that they wrapped the lambs in strips of cloth and bound them to prevent them from marking themselves.  Then they laid that lamb in a manger for protection.  

A “manger” may refer to a feeding trough or a “stall” or “crib” where animals are housed, based on other Scriptural references of the same word in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament).  This could also mean a “stable.”  It may not mean what we think of today as a “manger.”  But it was a specific location where the swaddled lambs were kept, and these shepherds knew how to identify this location where they would find Jesus.  The message from the angels pointed them to a very specific location that the shepherds knew how to find. 

These shepherds had the experience to identify the Messiah when they saw Him.  

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12 KJV).  

The shepherds were given two keys by the angels – that He would be wrapped in swaddling clothes and that He would be lying in a manger.  In Luke 2:15, the shepherds responded that they knew God made this known to them.  This was their marching order from God – and they did it.

Where would they have known to go – since there were no directions provided?  They knew exactly where to go to find Jesus.  They went to the location where the Temple lambs were birthed!  These shepherds were the only people on earth who could certify the birth of the true Passover Lamb.  And they did. 

Jimmy DeYoung, a prophecy teacher from Chattanooga, Tennessee, said this in one of his Christmas messages. 

So, when these shepherd-priests went into Bethlehem and saw the baby Jesus wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger, they must have exclaimed, “There is the Lamb of God, prepared for sacrifice, unblemished!”  They had to be excited beyond description because they were the only ones who could have understood the sign.  It was just for them from God.  It was personal!

This is so amazing – that only God could have prepared the birth of Jesus with this exact precision.  Jesus was wrapped in cloth strips specifically meant for this purpose.  Then God sent the shepherds of the Temple flock to certify that the Messiah was born.

God does not do anything by chance.  God the Father prepared a special place long in advance where His Son would be born?  He announced to the world when His Son was born to the only people on earth who could truly identify Him.  This glorious day was ordained in full detail by the Father.

You cannot explain the meaning or direction of the sign they were given or their response unless you have the right manger and the right shepherds! (bibletruth.org). 

Check in next week on December 15th for part 3!

Dr. Chris’ Christmas Blogs 2022

Week 1

This is the first of 4 blog posts to help us prepare for Christmas.  Many churches celebrate the 4 Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas.  This is an important time to prepare our hearts to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ.  These blogs explain very important information to enhance our understanding of Christmas.

Some of this may be new Bible study information to you. 

It is summarized from my Christmas book “The Tower of the Flock.”  This book started as a Bible study for me.  Several years ago on Christmas Day, I asked the Lord “Why was Jesus born in a manger?”  He answered me “Because He had to begin His life as a Lamb.”  I thought that statement was profound and one I had not thought about before. 

After all, He is THE Passover Lamb.  God led me on this Bible study journey and eventually I turned this study into a book.  If you want to learn more about what I am posting here, you can purchase my book through the link on my website (www.drchris.co) or through Amazon.  All Scriptures are NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Week 1: Jesus’ birth

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was prophesied in Scriptures.  He was of the lineage of David, and Bethlehem was David’s city.  The Book of Micah was written 500 years before Jesus’ birth, and Micah 5:2 prophesies the birthplace of Jesus.  

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me 

The One to be Ruler in Israel, 

Whose goings forth are from of old, 

From everlasting (Micah 5:2 NKJV).

This verse says that Bethlehem was a small village from the tribe of Judah.  Ephrathah was a settlement within Bethlehem.  This prophecy also says that the Ruler of Israel will come from here.  His origins are from old, or from everlasting as some translations state.  This is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Promised One, the Messiah, The Lamb of God, the Eternal God.  This Scripture was fulfilled as told in the Gospel of Luke.  “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11 NLT).

How did Bethlehem come to be David’s city? 

It came into the lineage of David long before his time.  The first time we see Bethlehem in Scriptures is with Isaac’s son, Jacob, and his wife Rachel.  Rachel became the mother of Joseph (who was later sold into slavery in Egypt and became the second in command there) and Benjamin.  While they were travelling, they neared Bethlehem and Rachel went into a difficult childbirth.  She died there while giving birth to Benjamin.  This is the first mention of Bethlehem in Scripture.  Please also note in these verses, it mentions the tower of Eder, which is significant, as we will later see.  Rachel’s tomb still exists today, and it is visited as a holy place.

Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).  And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.  Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder (Genesis 35:19–21).

Other predecessors in David’s lineage connected to Bethlehem include Ruth and her descendants. 

Ruth’s mother-in-law was Naomi and Ruth followed her from Moab to Bethlehem when both their husbands died.  Ruth later married Boaz, from Bethlehem.  They had a son named Obed.  Obed became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.  This makes Ruth the Great Grandmother of King David, the line from which the Messiah would be born.  The land owned by Boaz was passed down to his family and probably included the fields where David watched his father’s sheep.  

During the time of Jesse, Saul was king over Israel.  He disobeyed God and was rejected as king.  God sent the Prophet Samuel to Jesse in Bethlehem saying “I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite.  For I have provided Myself a king among his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1).  The chosen son was David.  David was anointed by Samuel on his family’s land in Bethlehem.  Jesus, being a descendant of Jesse, is important.  It was prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line of Jesse.

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse; And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.  The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him (Isaiah 11:1–2).

And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him (Isaiah 11:10).

David later became king, and it was from his lineage that Jesus would be born.  Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David.

Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ will come from the offspring of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? (John 7:40–42 AMP).

Be on the lookout for Part 2 next week, December 8th!